Guidebook for Chicago

Donna
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

Small, bustling neighborhood French bistro with classic cuisine & quaint decor. The philosophy at Blue Door Farm Stand is simple. Let the seasons dictate what’s on the plate & keep the mileage between farm and table as small as possible.
Album Selection Available, Specialty Drink Menu Ada St. showcases a passion for fresh, beautiful ingredients along with an exceptional list of spirits, wine, and handcrafted cocktails on an ever-changing, seasonal menu. The proud multi-year recipient of a Bib Gourmand designation by Michelin Travel & Lifestyle, Ada St. was named one of the 10 Best New Restaurants by Chicago Magazine, has been featured in the Louis Vuitton City Guide- Chicago Edition, and was named one of the best Chicago restaurants with Great Private Rooms by Goop City Guide Chicago. Designed by 2to5design, Ada St. is one of the most unique dining and entertaining venues in Chicago. During the summer, Ada St.’s backyard is among the most sought-after al fresco dining experiences in the city. Ada St. is open for dinner six nights a week and offers customized private dining and full restaurant buy-outs. In an effort to support the local art community, Ada for the Arts events, held on a quarterly basis, are carefully curated to benefit upcoming artists and nonprofit arts groups.
North Ada Street
North Ada Street
Album Selection Available, Specialty Drink Menu Ada St. showcases a passion for fresh, beautiful ingredients along with an exceptional list of spirits, wine, and handcrafted cocktails on an ever-changing, seasonal menu. The proud multi-year recipient of a Bib Gourmand designation by Michelin Travel & Lifestyle, Ada St. was named one of the 10 Best New Restaurants by Chicago Magazine, has been featured in the Louis Vuitton City Guide- Chicago Edition, and was named one of the best Chicago restaurants with Great Private Rooms by Goop City Guide Chicago. Designed by 2to5design, Ada St. is one of the most unique dining and entertaining venues in Chicago. During the summer, Ada St.’s backyard is among the most sought-after al fresco dining experiences in the city. Ada St. is open for dinner six nights a week and offers customized private dining and full restaurant buy-outs. In an effort to support the local art community, Ada for the Arts events, held on a quarterly basis, are carefully curated to benefit upcoming artists and nonprofit arts groups.
Authentic French with amazing pastries. Sandra Holl was trained in San Francisco at the California Culinary Academy and worked as a baker at the renowned Tartine Bakery. She has contributed at Bon Appetit, and been featured on StarChefs.com, and was named Pastry Chef of the Year at the 2015 Jean Banchet awards. Mathieu Holl, born and raised in Paris, grew up with a great appreciation and love for food and pastries. Although Mathieu is not a trained chef he has an amazing palate and the ability to critique even the most perfect pastry. As Sandra says, “He makes me a better baker… even if it makes me crazy sometimes”. Our Green Mission Floriole strives to be a business that is good for the earth and our community. We do this by: finding delicious ways to reduce food waste recycling and composting using real plates, cups and utensils reducing energy usage sourcing ingredients from local and sustainable farms donating leftover food.
49 locals recommend
Floriole Cafe & Bakery
1220 W Webster Ave
49 locals recommend
Authentic French with amazing pastries. Sandra Holl was trained in San Francisco at the California Culinary Academy and worked as a baker at the renowned Tartine Bakery. She has contributed at Bon Appetit, and been featured on StarChefs.com, and was named Pastry Chef of the Year at the 2015 Jean Banchet awards. Mathieu Holl, born and raised in Paris, grew up with a great appreciation and love for food and pastries. Although Mathieu is not a trained chef he has an amazing palate and the ability to critique even the most perfect pastry. As Sandra says, “He makes me a better baker… even if it makes me crazy sometimes”. Our Green Mission Floriole strives to be a business that is good for the earth and our community. We do this by: finding delicious ways to reduce food waste recycling and composting using real plates, cups and utensils reducing energy usage sourcing ingredients from local and sustainable farms donating leftover food.
Great Fresh Salads, menu
25 locals recommend
Blue Door Farm Stand
2010 N Halsted St
25 locals recommend
Great Fresh Salads, menu
45 locals recommend
Sweet Mandy B's
1208 W Webster Ave
45 locals recommend
A longtime favorite, great hot chocolate and desserts, very dependable menu
Mindy's HotChocolate Bakery
125 S Clark St
A longtime favorite, great hot chocolate and desserts, very dependable menu
Fabulous small plates and cocktails
Fort Willow
1721 N Elston Ave
Fabulous small plates and cocktails
French neighborhood cafe on Armitage shopping District, opens early.
56 locals recommend
Le Bouchon
1958 N Damen Ave
56 locals recommend
French neighborhood cafe on Armitage shopping District, opens early.
Traditional family owned Greek restaurant - very casual and local.
32 locals recommend
Athenian Room
807 W Webster Ave
32 locals recommend
Traditional family owned Greek restaurant - very casual and local.
Family owned for over 30 years best local sushi in neighborhood!
9 locals recommend
Sai Café
1114 N Sheffield Ave
9 locals recommend
Family owned for over 30 years best local sushi in neighborhood!
19 locals recommend
Range
1119 W Webster Ave
19 locals recommend
Just opening new mexican cantina in a great neighborhood walking distance and next to Sweet Mandy B's for any after meal dessert destination!
Old Pueblo Cantina
1200 W Webster Ave
Just opening new mexican cantina in a great neighborhood walking distance and next to Sweet Mandy B's for any after meal dessert destination!
Good pizzeria owned by some great guys, fun casual atmosphere, the owners did all the buildout themselves with logs and stone and even pennies in the floor!
40 locals recommend
Homeslice
938 W Webster Ave
40 locals recommend
Good pizzeria owned by some great guys, fun casual atmosphere, the owners did all the buildout themselves with logs and stone and even pennies in the floor!
Some people wait for hours - great reviews and a solid neighborhood following.
536 locals recommend
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn Avenue
536 locals recommend
Some people wait for hours - great reviews and a solid neighborhood following.
Big Star is a bourbon and beer-focused, taco-slinging, late-night honky-tonk in the heart of Chicago’s Wicker Park and Wrigleyville neighborhoods. Executive Chef Paul Kahan and Chef de Cuisine Chris Miller’s menu, inspired by authentic Mexican street food, is complemented by an extensive house-selected single barrel bourbon program. Housed in a defunct 1940's gas station, the Wicker Park taqueria’s soundtrack of classic country and rock & roll is selected and spun by bar staff. They operate on a first come, first serve basis and don't take reservations. The corner of North Ave. and Damen Ave. (1531 N. Damen Ave.).
1176 locals recommend
Big Star
1531 N Damen Ave
1176 locals recommend
Big Star is a bourbon and beer-focused, taco-slinging, late-night honky-tonk in the heart of Chicago’s Wicker Park and Wrigleyville neighborhoods. Executive Chef Paul Kahan and Chef de Cuisine Chris Miller’s menu, inspired by authentic Mexican street food, is complemented by an extensive house-selected single barrel bourbon program. Housed in a defunct 1940's gas station, the Wicker Park taqueria’s soundtrack of classic country and rock & roll is selected and spun by bar staff. They operate on a first come, first serve basis and don't take reservations. The corner of North Ave. and Damen Ave. (1531 N. Damen Ave.).
8 locals recommend
Mable's Table
1655 W Cortland St
8 locals recommend

Essentials

866 locals recommend
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago Ave
866 locals recommend
27 locals recommend
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
2500 N Elston Ave
27 locals recommend
836 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted St
836 locals recommend
35 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
1430 S Ashland Ave
35 locals recommend
139 locals recommend
Jewel-Osco
4250 N Lincoln Ave
139 locals recommend
215 locals recommend
Starbucks
1 E Delaware Pl
215 locals recommend

Sightseeing

1243 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph St
1243 locals recommend
17 locals recommend
Navy Pier - Museum Campus
17 locals recommend
Ferris Wheel Navy Pier Chicago
600 E Grand Ave
12 locals recommend
124 locals recommend
Skydeck Chicago
233 S Wacker Dr
124 locals recommend
19 locals recommend
875 North Michigan Avenue
875 North Michigan Avenue
19 locals recommend
Beautiful River Walk full of restaurants, bars, boats, hot spots and entertainment.
273 locals recommend
Chicago Riverwalk
306-370 W Wacker Dr
273 locals recommend
Beautiful River Walk full of restaurants, bars, boats, hot spots and entertainment.
Old architecturally interesting neighborhood of very beautiful homes.
28 locals recommend
Gold Coast
28 locals recommend
Old architecturally interesting neighborhood of very beautiful homes.

Neighborhoods

Fun, hip area nearby stretches at least a mile with shops and food options.
55 locals recommend
Bucktown
55 locals recommend
Fun, hip area nearby stretches at least a mile with shops and food options.
Wonderful old architecture Webster/Halsted/Armitage offers many shops and food options.
175 locals recommend
Lincoln Park
500-5700 N Lake Shore Dr
175 locals recommend
Wonderful old architecture Webster/Halsted/Armitage offers many shops and food options.
Fun, hip area west of apartment with lots of food/bar and entertainment options.
371 locals recommend
Wicker Park
1425 N Damen Ave
371 locals recommend
Fun, hip area west of apartment with lots of food/bar and entertainment options.
High End shopping district stretching a mile from Oak Street Beach to the Chicago River.
598 locals recommend
Hot Tix - Mag Mile Location
598 locals recommend
High End shopping district stretching a mile from Oak Street Beach to the Chicago River.

Hot Spots/Bars

On the riverwalk, sit on steps and enjoy a glass of wine while people and boat watching.
28 locals recommend
City Winery at the Chicago Riverwalk
11 W. Riverwalk South
28 locals recommend
On the riverwalk, sit on steps and enjoy a glass of wine while people and boat watching.
Best beer selection, small neighborhood bar.
15 locals recommend
Local Option
1102 W Webster Ave
15 locals recommend
Best beer selection, small neighborhood bar.
The Hideout is a regular guy bar for irregular folks who just don’t fit in, or just don’t want to fit in. We didn’t choose the name; it has been called the Hideout since it opened (legally) in 1934. The Hideout is a 100 year old balloon-frame house, built in two days, still here a century later. Hammers pounding in nails faster than the city could tear it down. Built by undocumented workers at the end of the 19th Century, run by undocumented bootleggers and gin runners, running numbers, racing horses, making deals, and moving in the make. The Hideout is the place where the hard working man and the hard working hustler met for beer and eggs. Where the “26 girls” rolled the dice for dances and 10 cent drinks.
64 locals recommend
The Hideout
1354 W Wabansia Ave
64 locals recommend
The Hideout is a regular guy bar for irregular folks who just don’t fit in, or just don’t want to fit in. We didn’t choose the name; it has been called the Hideout since it opened (legally) in 1934. The Hideout is a 100 year old balloon-frame house, built in two days, still here a century later. Hammers pounding in nails faster than the city could tear it down. Built by undocumented workers at the end of the 19th Century, run by undocumented bootleggers and gin runners, running numbers, racing horses, making deals, and moving in the make. The Hideout is the place where the hard working man and the hard working hustler met for beer and eggs. Where the “26 girls” rolled the dice for dances and 10 cent drinks.